I quit my job last week. It was really rather exhilarating. But also scary. Because I don’t currently have another job to go into. Why did I do it?
If you have read my blog over the last few weeks we have seen many ups and downs in the retreatist hovel – the joy of being offered a new job, hope for the future, family illness, being told I can’t take up a job opportunity.
In all of this the most important factor has been the happiness of our unit. We decided a while back that the most important thing for a meaningful life is to be happy in what we are doing. My job wasn’t making me happy.
So I had a very frank conversation with Mr CR and we decided that I would hand in my notice.
The big question – can we handle it financially?
I am happy to tell you that yes we can! We have ensured that since we have become debt free we have not inflated our cost of living and we have maintained our old system of being able to survive off one salary (while making sure that the second is banked and saved).
We are very lucky to be in this position and it has meant that I can take some time off between jobs (I am actively looking for another job – at least in the short term!).
But I believe that this time off before finding another role will be invaluable for me. It is something I have craved and desired for a long time but debt repayment has been the ultimate driver to force me to keep on working and keep on trucking!
Time for a breather, for me. To take stock and re-assess.
I already feel the lightness of spirit that comes from a weight being lifted and I am hoping that this dark cloud that has hovered over me will lift over the coming weeks and I can start to be my happy, motivated self again looking forward to the next big adventure!
Can I pass on any hints or tips that I have learnt from my experiences?
Here are 3 –
- Be honest with yourself – I knew for a long time that I was unhappy with my role and we weren’t a good fit for each other but I kept pushing on thinking ‘this week will be better’ – trust your instincts – if something doesn’t work you aren’t forced to stay with it – it’s a big world out there!
- Consider the finances – this is a big one – I don’t think I could have left my job without the security of knowing that we can cope on one salary! It will be tight and our savings might not be great over the next month or so, but keeping our cost of living frugal is the saving grace in all of this.
- Be happy – I am very much following a simple living mindset at the moment and at the heart of that for me is happiness – finding happiness in all aspects of my daily life. As so much of my day is spent at work or thinking about work it is vital that this also brings me happiness. I will not be rushing into my next job! It will be considered and based on my happiness as well as my prospects!
And finally a lesson learnt from my own experience – if you are unhappy at work – don’t be afraid to talk to your management! I didn’t! I don’t like talking at work and I kept it all inside until it finally broke me. Work with them to try and change what makes you unhappy. If they are unwilling to support you, maybe a new place beckons!
Have you ever quit your job to regain your happiness? What did you do?
Did it work? I would love to hear your stories!
Natalya x
This post is part of BrokeGirlRich and Disease called Debt’s financially savvy Saturdays #112 – follow on twitter using #FinSavSat! 🙂
Cottage Retreatist 
So happy for you! And proud of you for doing it! Sounded like not the best environment, and you worked so hard to be in a place where this was possible. Congrats!
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Hello! Thank you for your comment!!!!
I feel so much happier already knowing I don’t have to stay there I agree – I had to do it! The fear is still there but awaiting that first day of freedom now!!!
Natalya x
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Good for you! And I’m so glad you were in a financial place to be able to do it! …I’ve actually done this too. After nearly 5 years at sea, in the middle of a contract, they changed like 5 things that effected how much time I actually got off and how often I could leave the ship and when I questioned it, they told me plenty of other stage managers would be happy to have my job. So I told them to offer it to one and put in my notice. And the other 3 most senior stage managers in the fleet followed me out within 2 months. I wound up unemployed for 2 months before I wound up at the circus.
Last year, I actually had a job lined up, but left a place that made me so miserable I felt sick every time I went into work. It was one of the best career decisions I ever made.
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Hi Mel
Thanks for dropping in and commenting – great to hear from someone else who has done it! And showing how positive it can be putting yourself first! That’s my intention going forward – I hope I can make such good decisions as you’ve done!!
Natalya x
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Time is so finite it’s hard to tell people to do anything other than pursue their passions and find their happiness. While it may see like you jumped without a net (since you didn’t have another job lined up) you actually had one of the most solid exit strategies I’ve ever read about. You and Mr. CR sound like an awesome team! I can’t wait to read about your journey!
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Hi Penny
Thank you for your comments – such a lovely thing to hear – we aren’t usually referred to as an awesome team 😉 And we don’t usually see ourselves as well-managed but maybe we are learning from our debtfree journey 😉
I am also excited about the next step!!
Natalya x
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Congrats! I quit my job a few months ago, but I had my freelance business to run and take it’s place. It was still super scary though. You should read Tess Vigeland’s book “Leap”. It’s amazing and super helpful for when you’ve recently quit your job.
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Hi Kayla!
Thank you for your comment and congrats on quitting your job too! 🙂
Will check out the book – sounds interesting.
Natalya x
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I know how you feel about working at a job when you aren’t happy. Glad that you are in a financial position where you can make the change.
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Hi Tre
Thanks for your comment! Yep – thank our lucky stars we’re in a much better financial situation than this time last year!
Natalya x
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Good for you! I’m facing a similar situation of unhappiness at my job but I’m not debt free so I’ve got a lot of thinking and figuring out to do. Fortunately I don’t hate my job, I enjoy a lot of it but the change in upper management has made it a less enjoyable place to work. I’m excited for you and I fully believe that no amount of money is worth being unhappy. 🙂
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HI Liz
Thank you for commenting. Being in debt does make things tricky doesn’t it? Are you actively looking for a new job?
I agree with you – money doesn’t buy happiness no matter what they say 😉
Natalya x
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Congratulation on quitting on your on terms. I recently quitted my job because I did not feel challenged anymore. It was very scary at that time, but I am so glad I did, it opened other doors I never thought was possible.
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Hi Esther
Thanks for your comment – great to hear from others who also quit and grew out of it! Fingers crossed I can do the same!!
Natalya x
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A few years ago I was deeply unhappy in my job. I was really underpaid (I know we all say that, but compared to other local jobs doing the same thing, I was) earning just above minimum wage. I carried a ton of stress where my department went from 5 people to just me. I got signed off and eventually I decided to leave. Tony was also out of work but I just couldn’t do it anymore. 7 weeks later I had a job paying me more than double and a much better working environment. Those 7 weeks were scary but it was definitely the best thing I ever did. Now I’m leaving this job to branch out on my own and I’m so excited. Good luck, you will be fabulous!
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